Modern villa developments in Bali: Buyer beware!!!

With so many land development projects going on in Bali its hard to keep track of which ones are finished and which are sold out. Riding around Seminyak one can see some nice examples of places ideally located for a great Bali holiday, including C151 on Jl. Petitenget and Le Jardin on Jl. Sarinande.
While these may be excellent properties, there are others that may warrant a buyer to beware. I know of one expat who has likely lost a lot of money buying a private villa quite recently. The list Baliblog published yesterday (if you want your property to be included in Baliblog’s property list the price is $199 per month), listed many properties as being ‘freehold’. That of course is freehold for Indonesians, the western version of freehold often touted by developers being a legal ‘can of worms’. If you are thinking about buying real estate in Bali, tread carefully.

Checking out a completed villa complex a few months ago, I asked the sales rep what she thought about some of the other large scale developments going on. She said “You know when you are building in Bali, how important it is to be there on site, making sure they use the proper amounts of cement and so forth?…..” I got the message and have myself observed cement blocks in new development with cracks in, before the thing is even completed. In my house in Seminyak, the cement blocks that run horizontal (1 ft diameter) are flaking apart. I’d really want to make sure my $500,000 villa was made of something solid.

In many ways a lease agreement is the best option for a foreigner as it is completely legal and does not have to involve a third party.

Everyone, be very aware of the scam be run by 2 brothers Djoni and Frans HASJIM! They not only lie to the locals, but to basically anyone who has air in their lungs!!!
They are selling 78 sq mtrs for over 300US$ opposite Gado Gado, and have pissed everyone off from the Banjar, to the Sofitel to most people in Bali. Not only do they rob staff from due commissions, but thet also owe agents over 89K US$ in comms. plus a whole bunch more. They treat people like scum, and its a shame they carry the name Anantarra, as Im sure the guys in BKK are not amused!!!!

I bought a unit in Anantara and I am very very happy to what they did. The owners are so friendly and profesional not only to buyers but to my friends who owned property agent as well. Anantara New Year’s eve party was a wow…. WELL DONE.

Congratulations to Djoni & Frans Hasjim for throwing the party on New Year’s eve. Well done, mate. It was a great party and for those who said nasty word. Sorry guys, u wrong, Anantara is absolutely the best place to hang out. NO REGRET.

I am currently looking for an investement/residence in bali that wont cost me a fortune. Can you recommend some ideas for builders, architects and land – basically a home and land package and/or some affordable existing property. I have been searching all over the web for months now and dont seem to be getting anywhere with my search.